SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

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Career Services for Alumni

The mission of the Office of Career Services (OCS) is to provide students and alumni with the necessary tools to successfully manage their professional development throughout their careers.  We accomplish this through career counseling, a professional development course, career events, recruitment and employer outreach programs, and the Alumni Career Advisory Program (ACAP).  Students and alumni are encouraged to partner with OCS and dedicate time to independent research and networking to build bridges with the professional world.   

OCS is dedicated to maintaining ties with and providing life-long services to all SIPA alumni. We offer several resources specifically designed to meet your career development needs

SIPA Global Connection: is our online alumni directory; it contains more than 14,000 SIPA graduates living in 153 countries around the world. You will be able to access information about alumni, including employment details, current residence, and year of graduation. We invite you to create your own profile on SIPA Global Connection. Please be aware that only information that you choose to make accessible can be viewed by fellow alumni or students. To access the online database visit: http://www.alumniconnections.com/SIPA.

The Alumni Career Advisory Program (ACAP): is our online directory of SIPA alumni who have volunteered to serve as career mentors to SIPA students and fellow alumni.  This directory is an excellent source of networking and informational interview contacts.  ACAP is incorporated into the SIPA Global Connection site.  To access and search on ACAP visit: http://www.alumniconnections.com/SIPA and then click on the “ACAP Participant Search” link.  We welcome your participation in ACAP, which you can join when you create or update your profile in SIPA Global Connection. 

Job Postings: To access the OCS Jobs Database, alumni must register with OCS on MonsterTRAK. This database is frequently updated with new job postings. To view the website, visit: Find a Job or Internship (MonsterTRAK).

Individual Career Counseling:  Career counseling sessions with an OCS staff member are available by appointment. During that time, you may discuss job search strategies, arrange a mock interview, have your resume critiqued, or get a fresh perspective on your job search. To make an appointment please contact us.

Career Resource Room and Online Career Resources:  The OCS Career Resource Room, located in Room 420, and the OCS website page Career Resources offer a wealth of information, including:

  • Fact Sheets such as Cover Letter and Resume Tips, Interview Preparation Tips, Evaluating Job Offers, and Salary Negotiations.
  • Sample Resumes and Cover letters.
  • Books, resource guides, and periodicals relevant to the job search in international and public affairs. More than 100 publications are available.

Washington D.C. Career Conference and NYC Career Series:  Each year, OCS sponsors two major events consisting of alumni career presentations, alumni receptions and informational interviews with professionals in Washington, DC and New York City.  These events provide excellent ways to explore career opportunities and network with alumni and employers in the DC and NYC areas.  For more information visit: Career Events.